Celine Andrews is what her father named his firstborn. She was born on July 11, 1996, during the beautiful twilight on the western horizon. She was born after her mother endured the pains of contractions since dawn at a nearby midwife clinic.
Firstborns are always a special surprise. Back then, there weren't widespread ultrasound examinations to determine the baby's gender. However, the elders in the family, her maternal grandmother in particular, believed in predicting the baby's gender based on the signs exhibited by the pregnant mother.
At that time, Celine's maternal grandmother believed their future grandchild was a boy. Consequently, the family prepared a name for a boy. But, when the baby was born, it turned out to be a girl. With little planning about the character, her father quickly decided.
"Let's name her Celine; what do you think, Dear?" Mr Felix suggested to his wife while cradling the tiny baby. He was enchanted by the hues of the sunset that infiltrated through the window into the delivery room.
"It seems it's not a son, Dear. Hahaha," Mrs Maggie laughed heartily, remembering the amusing incident right after successfully delivering the baby. When the midwife said, "Congratulations, Mom, a healthy and complete baby girl is born." Her initial response was dumbfounded because she had assumed it would be a baby boy from the start.
"That's true, Dear. We can only plan and estimate. In the end, God is the Most Decisive," Mr. Felix spoke wisely. He, a man whose face reflected patience and responsibility, was filled with love for his family. Once again, he cradled the tiny baby they had anticipated for three years since their marriage.
Mrs. Maggie, still slightly tired from childbirth, mumbled her agreement while gazing at her baby with wonder. She was still absorbed in the euphoria of the birth of their first daughter, and three years of waiting had finally paid off with the arrival of the cute little one who had cried a few times loudly and then quickly fell asleep within a short period.
Whether it was a boy or a girl didn't matter to them. They would love the baby no matter the gender. After all, they hadn't prepared much for baby supplies.
Their village still adhered to some old superstitions, especially regarding significant events like marriages, pregnancies, childbirth, and even deaths. Many elderly neighbours expressed superstitions about preparing too many baby items. Therefore, they only prepared a little. It wasn't that Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie believed in superstitions, but they followed what the elders said to avoid hurting anyone's feelings.
The philosophy behind the name Celine was also a prayer from her parents for her to match the warmth and enthusiasm, symbolizing adventure, optimism, self-confidence, and social skills. This was because Celine was born in twilightmoment, a fusion of red and yellow, giving a strong and warm effect.
Like most firstborns, Celine was showered with love, attention, and affection from her parents and extended family since childhood. She was spoiled, and almost everything she desired was quickly fulfilled.
However, things began to change when her mother gave birth to her younger sister four years later. The second child, named Gina Andrews, seemed to take many things away from Celine. She suddenly had to sleep alone in a separate room from her parents. Her mother rarely carried her since she was pregnant because pregnant women were prohibited from carrying heavy loads to avoid endangering the fetus.
Since then, a bit of envy crept into little Celine's heart towards her younger sister. But, as they grew older, mutual understanding and affection developed due to their emotional closeness and the patient and loving guidance from their parents.
The younger sister had a personality opposite of her older sister. While Celine was serious, introverted, and independent, Gina was playful, mischievous, and overly spoiled. They named the second daughter Gina hoping she would be a sweet and obedient gentle girl. When they discovered that Gina's personality was far from the meaning behind her name, they could only shake their heads and realize that expectations don't always match reality.
"I don't care! Just know that Celine sleeps below, and I'm on top. Fix!" Gina insisted when their father bought bunk beds for the two of them, replacing Celine's small mattress. This happened when Celine was nine and Gina was five.
Since childhood, Gina has been overly pampered and cheeky. Celine had to continually yield to avoid prolonged arguments that usually made their mother angry. As they grew older, Celine and Gina began facing economic difficulties. Mr. Felix's welding workshop received fewer orders, significantly reducing the family's income. Therefore, when Celine graduated from high school, she decided to work.
She applied to several companies in her city with only a high school diploma. While waiting for job calls, she helped her mother shop for their store stock. She preferred being sent to shop rather than managing the store because, according to her, dealing with buyers required a lot of patience and ears ready to listen to the long complaints of their neighbourly customers. And she had neither.
Gina, who was friendlier with buyers and balanced their conversations with her cheerful and relaxed demeanour, wasn't the sensitive type like Celine when she heard some teasing from neighbours during jokes. After a few months of applying here and there, Celine finally received a job offer as a production employee at a shoe factory. It was conveniently located near her home, about a ten-minute motorcycle ride.
The girl immensely enjoyed her job. Even with a salary according to the regional minimum wage, she received many additional benefits from overtime work and performance bonuses whenever her team reached production targets. She also felt comfortable with the work environment. As the newest and youngest employee, she quickly became the favourite of her superiors due to her agility and competence. She didn't take long to climb the ranks, surpassing many older colleagues.
Her increasing salary helped support the family's economy. Her parents often hesitated to accept money from Celine. Therefore, she went to the market every payday to shop for their store stock. She often secretly tucked some money into her father's shirt pocket, usually hung in front of the prayer room. Her parents were deeply moved when they realized that their firstborn had matured and had noble intentions to help the family without being asked.
When the time came for Gina to graduate from high school, Celine finally asked their parents to fulfil Gina's desire to continue to college. She promised to help with the financing. She had a personal savings account that could be used whenever there was a sudden need. She wanted her high school graduate sister to have a better job than her.
Gina was joyful to attend college, especially since her older sister couldn't. She gradually changed, becoming more respectful to Celine as she understood that her sister helped finance her education.
Finally, Gina enrolled in the Accounting program at a private university in their city. The pampered girl wasn't convincing enough to be allowed to live in a boarding house in the town, the provincial capital, where the nearest state university was located.
"Study properly. Be careful if you mess around!" Celine warned one day when the family listened to Gina's exciting stories about campus life.
Gina put on a severe expression, stood upright, and saluted with her hand.
"Ready! I'll do it!"
Celine playfully tapped her sister's head. Typical Gina, turning a severe talk into a joke, she thought. Mr. Felix and Mrs. Maggie shook their heads and sometimes joined in the laughter while witnessing the debates between their two beloved daughters.
The house, though modest, felt complete when both daughters were around. Celine's dedication to work and Gina's pursuit of higher education brought a sense of pride to their parents. They were grateful for their daughters and the sacrifices they made for the family.
Celine's workplace became busier daily, and her reputation at the shoe factory continued to soar. She managed to secure a supervisory position, overseeing a team in the production line. Her income steadily increased, allowing her to contribute significantly to the family's finances.
Meanwhile, Gina adapted to university life. The transition from a pampered younger sister to a college student changed her personality. She became more independent and responsible, juggling her studies and part-time jobs to ease Celine's financial burden.
Despite their age difference, Celine and Gina developed a strong bond. Celine, the protective older sister, would occasionally visit Gina at the university, ensuring she adapted well and managed her studies. Gina, in turn, appreciated Celine's guidance and support, recognizing her sister's sacrifices for her education.
One day, Celine surprised Gina with a new laptop. It was a gesture that left Gina speechless. She knew her sister had saved up for months to buy it, and the act of generosity brought tears to Gina's eyes.
"I want you to have the best tools for your studies," Celine said, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her intentions.
The laptop became Gina's constant companion, aiding her in research assignments and staying connected with Celine. It symbolized a material possession and a manifestation of the sisters' unspoken commitment to each other's success.
As time passed, Gina's academic achievements shone. She proved herself academically competent and socially adept, making friends quickly and actively participating in campus activities. Celine beamed with pride at her sister's accomplishments.
As the family gathered for dinner, Gina had exciting news to share one evening. She had been selected as a university representative for an upcoming national accounting competition.
Celine's eyes lit up with pride. "See, I told you to study properly!"
Gina blushed, grateful for the encouragement. The family celebrated the achievement, and Celine couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—pride in Gina's success and a pang of nostalgia for the dreams she had once harboured for herself.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Celine found solace in her sister's achievements. She had become a silent supporter, offering guidance and encouragement and rejoicing in Gina's triumphs as if they were hers.
As the years unfolded, both sisters pursued their respective paths. Celine continued to excel in her career, earning promotions and recognition for her dedication. Gina, armed with her accounting degree, landed a job at a reputable firm, realizing the dreams she and Celine had once shared.
Their paths diverged, but the bond between them remained unbreakable. Celine's role evolved from protector to confidante, and Gina, in her newfound independence, still sought Celine's advice and shared her joys and sorrows.
Once filled with the laughter and bickering of two young girls, the family home witnessed their growth into remarkable women. Through their journeys, they discovered that sisterhood was a matter of blood and a connection of hearts forged through shared dreams, sacrifices, and unwavering support.
And so, the story of Celine and Gina unfolded, a tale of sisterhood that transcended the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witnessed their journey.
***
"Celine, please come to my office for a moment?" Mrs. Jane, the Head of Department, approached her desk a few minutes after the start of work.Celine, who had just started arranging the shoe materials from the preparation department to be checked and then deposited to the sewing department, looked up and replied, "Sorry, Ma'am. Can I call Kylie to continue checking this material first? Because today it have to enter the sewing job line."Line is a term for the division of the sewing department because of the shape of the work team, which is lined up lengthwise. Mrs Jane nodded as she said she was expecting Celine soon."Yes, Ma'am. I'll follow you right away."She hurried towards the sewing department room and called Kylie, one of the Line members who often filled in for her when Celine was assigned to another department or helped her when multiple jobs came up. Celine was overwhelmed by checking alone."There, Kylie! The boss came calling." A person Celine later found out was named E
"Where are you, Kylie?" Celine briefly supervised Kylie's work at the materials check table, which she usually occupied. Kylie looked up briefly and answered smoothly as she refocused on the shoe materials she was arranging by series. "I only have sizes 37 and 36 left. Tomorrow, I can finish and help Eva with her new job.""Sip, you're my favourite," Celine said as she pinched Kylie's arm anxiously. Kylie, who has an adorable chubby body with fair skin and curly hair that is always put in a bun, pouted her lips cutely.Celine chuckled as she left her desk to go to Eva's desk on the other side. The owner was taking the materials to the Cutting department, so Celine only checked the book containing the size report table and the amount that had been reviewed and deposited to the Line. For the past two days, Celine has never sat at her desk. She had to go around constantly to supervise the performance of the team working on the new job carefully to avoid any mistakes."Eva already got two
A barrage of message notifications and missed call lists immediately filled the top screen of Celine's phone as soon as it was turned on.Sure enough, all of them were from Leo, and some were labeled with Kate's name. She had no intention of reading Leo's messages. Immediately, she aimed at the chat from Kate, which only read, [Test]At length, she typed a message in the chat column explaining the actual incident.At the bottom of the explanation, she ended it with a question sentence,[Well, if you were in my position, would you break up with him? You would too, right?"] She also put an angry emoticon. Sent. Two black ticks."Huff, what a relief ...," sighed Celine as she put her cell phone on the table and leaned her very sore back on the back of the wooden chair with soft foam. It was too much if Kate defended Leo just because they were neighbors. She is a fellow woman; she should know how painful it is when the one she loves turns out to be a cheat behind her, Celine thought si
"Honey," Celine squinted in surprise at her mother's soft voice. She had been there for some time in the corner of the living room. "M-Mom ... you surprised me," Celine stammered, wondering if her mother had overheard her conversation with Leo or not."Are you alright, Dear?" the usually chatty mother asked gently as if she knew her daughter was struggling to contain her inner turmoil.Celine let out a weak sigh. Her mother must have heard her argument with Leo just now. There was no point in denying it, she thought.Wordlessly, Celine slammed into her mother and burst into tears in the warm embrace of the middle-aged woman. She shed the tears that had been welling in her eyes since she saw her mother's worried face.Mrs. Maggie stroked her back and also stroked her long black hair, trying to give her peace. She let Celine cry contentedly so that she could be relieved and lose the burden in her heart."It's okay, just keep crying until you're satisfied," she said wisely. Usually, sh
Mrs. Maggie, sitting next to Celine, immediately poured water from the teapot into a glass and held it out to her. Celine immediately drank in one gulp."Oh, I'm so satiated. I go to the room first," she excused herself, trying to avoid Gina, who was starting to bug her. She thought she would let her mother explain it to her father and Gina later. She didn't want to bring it up or hear about it again.She continued collecting items and photos of her memories with Leo in her room. After blocking Leo's number and account, he deleted digital traces from his cell phone and social media accounts.As soon as possible, she had to move on. Life must go on. She will find other happiness out there. The family she loves, the job she loves, and the achievements she is striving for all deserve more attention than just remembering the past with her cheating ex.After collecting all the prints, Celine put them in a cardboard box to be taken to the back storeroom."Well, now this room is clean from t
Celine spent the next few days focusing on her work. Some of the sneering and dismissive looks she received from fellow employees who seemed to feel envious or rivaled, she considered as self-encouragement to further improve her achievements.The important thing is to give the best, and then the best results will follow. That is an undeniable law of nature.To forget the pain of losing the love of her life for the umpteenth time, she devoted all her energy and attention to work. Kylie, who witnessed how hard Celine worked, sometimes asked her curious questions,"What did you have for breakfast? How come humans don't seem to get tired?"Celine just laughed at her friend's joke. She has grown closer to Kylie since working on jobs together. Little did she know that the giggly girl was quite understanding and caring. She often checked Celine's desk drawer to see if the lunch box was there or not. She said she was worried that Celine would eat late and that she would get sick if her energ
Gina was very upset with herself. She had spoken a sentence that might have been very hurtful to her sister. What could she do? She got angry because her sister didn't want to share her story with her. They are sisters who are women; the age difference is not so far; they should be able to talk to each other without playing secrets, she thought.She had just heard from her mother about Celine breaking up with her boyfriend. The mother also did not tell the exact reason, only saying that they were not yet a match. Gina's curious soul, of course, immediately thrashed. In addition, she was also furious with her sister's habit of changing boyfriends. She didn't know that it wasn't Celine's wish. If only they could open up to each other, Gina would have felt sorry for her sister's bad experiences in romance. Celine's introverted nature was so dominant that even her sister had no idea what she had been through. She preferred to keep her feelings and heartaches to herself. Finally, with Le
Without feeling guilty, Kylie walked on backward. She didn't care about her friend, who was groaning in pain from her arm jab."Who told you to make fun of people?" she chirped.Kylie was pleased that day. It was like she had made a new friend. In the past, she thought Celine was an arrogant girl. After almost a week, she realized that Celine was a fun friend. Indeed, people shouldn't judge someone's personality by their outward appearance. Make sure to refrain from judging a book by its cover. Get to know her better and then you'll see whether she's good or bad.Celine, trailing behind her, was stunned by the back garden Kylie was referring to. She wandered around the yard. The rows of potted ornamental plants in neat rows looked beautiful and organized. The pots were arranged by size from the smallest to the largest. The various types of flowers emitted a fragrant fragrance even to the surroundings. The presence of several butterflies and beetles added to the beauty of the scene th